INDIANAPOLIS -- NFL prospects go through many drills at the combine, but one that seems to have more value for the Patriots than others is the three-cone drill.
Basically, it measures quick bursts of speed along with changing direction.
In 2010, Devin McCourty had the fastest time among cornerbacks and then was selected by the Patriots in the first round. In 2013, five of the eight overall finishers ended up on the Patriots -- undrafted wide receiver T.J. Moe, wide receiver Josh Boyce and cornerback Logan Ryan. In 2015, cornerback Justin Coleman had the best overall time and then was scooped up by the Patriots as an undrafted free agent. Finally, in 2016 Cyrus Jones had the fastest time among corners and was selected in the second round by the Patriots.
So, who is worth watching this year? Running back Chase Edmonds out of Fordham.
On Friday, he posted a three-cone time of 6.79 seconds, the best out of the running backs.
Edmonds isn't expected to go high in the draft primarily because of a injury-plagued senior season and because of the competition he faced in the FCS. The 5-foot-9, 215-pound back ran for over 1,600 yards in each of his first three seasons before totaling 577 in seven games this past fall. He also can catch passes out of the backfield, as he finished with 86 catches for 905 yards in his four seasons.
"I'm 205 but I think I run bigger than my weight says, I run behind my pads,'' Edmonds said. "I think I'm a really good matchup against linebackers out in space.''
New England may be in the market for a running back in the middle rounds, especially if both Dion Lewis and Rex Burkhead depart via free agency. Lewis is actually a player Edmonds models his game after.
"I love the way Lewis uses his quickness and the Patriots use him perfectly,'' Edmonds said.
Maybe if things go his way, he could potentially get to be the next Lewis. And if he does, he can thank his three-cone time.
